An 18-year-old youth from Pader District, Okol Jonathan, could not hide his excitement after selling a pair of handmade shoes to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for UGX 500,000 during a campaign rally in Pajule Town Council.
Okol, a resident of Lamin Ocwida Village, Purana Subcounty, is a proud beneficiary of the Presidential Skilling Hub Initiative, a state house program aimed at empowering Ugandan youth with hands-on vocational skills. He recently graduated from the Gulu Skilling Hub, where he specialized in shoemaking.
During the NRM presidential campaign rally held at Pajule Nursery and Primary School, President Museveni asked if there were any graduates of the skilling hub present among the crowd. Okol and two others stepped forward to share their testimonies.
As the young artisan displayed his craftsmanship, he caught the President’s attention with a pair of neatly designed shoes he had brought along. When asked how much he sells a pair for, Okol replied that the shoes usually cost UGX 50,000, but jokingly added, “If the President is buying, I’m selling a pair to you at only UGX 500,000.” The President responded with laughter — and bought the pair on the spot.
Speaking after the memorable encounter, Okol expressed his gratitude for the opportunity provided by the Presidential Skilling Hub.
“I dropped out of school after Primary Seven because my parents couldn’t afford secondary education,” he said. “I was home doing nothing until I heard from our LC5 chairperson about the skilling program. I applied and was lucky to join the Gulu Hub for shoemaking.”
After completing the course, Okol established a small shoemaking business in Gulu City, where he now produces about 15 pairs of shoes per week, earning approximately UGX 500,000 per month. However, he notes that high material costs and transport expenses from Kampala remain a challenge.
Despite these obstacles, Okol remains optimistic about expanding his business.
“If I get more support through the Presidential Skilling Fund, I want to register my company and employ other young people,” he said.
With visible pride and humility, he concluded his remarks with a message to the President:
“Thank you, Your Excellency, for this initiative. It has made me who I am today.”
The Presidential Skilling Hub Initiative continues to transform lives across Uganda, providing practical skills to youth who would otherwise be unemployed, and inspiring success stories like that of Okol Jonathan.